May 2009 Newsletter

At the Neese Law Firm, we devote 100% of our time to civil trial law and representing the victims of serious personal injuries and wrongful death.

We accept only a small number of cases each year. We are passionate about our cases, and we put our entire focus and all of our resources behind those cases.

Our duty as lawyers goes beyond just representing our clients, however. The Texas Lawyer’s Creed, which was promulgated 20 years ago by the Texas Supreme Court, says that lawyers must "adhere to the highest principles of professionalism" and are "responsible to assure that all persons have access to competent representation regardless of wealth or position in life." We take this very seriously. It means that everybody deserves the best attorney for his or her case, and it is the job of all lawyers to make sure that happens.

That's why we wrote the booklet entitled, The Truth About Lawyers: An Insider's Guide to Hiring the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case. You can order or download a copy of this booklet. There is no charge.

Please know that you are always welcome to call our office if you have any questions. There is no charge for an initial consultation, and if we cannot help you with your particular case, we will do our best to provide you with the name and number of someone who may be able to help you.

If you have been in a serious personal injury accident, the very first thing you should do is concentrate on your recovery. Hiring a lawyer takes a backseat to your health. While it is not good to have a long delay in getting legal advice, getting better is priority number one. There probably are some lawyers out there who want their clients to look as sick as possible, for as long as possible. I can't tell you how much I disagree with that sort of thing. At the Neese Law Firm, we represent people who are doing their best to cope with a difficult situation. You didn’t ask to get hurt, and there is nothing more credible and honorable than a person who is doing their part to get better.

Listen to Your Doctor

It is extremely important that you do (or not do) everything your doctor tells you to do (or not do). You should either make your future doctor appointments or call the doctor and reschedule for a time when you can make it. You do not want there to be notations in your medical records such as "No Show."

Be Sure to Make Your Therapy Appointments

Similarly, if your doctor prescribes therapy, you should follow through with that therapy. Do not wait to do this. When

you get home from the doctor's office, immediately make whatever therapy appointments you’ve been instructed to make.

Give It Your Best Effort, Even When It Hurts

Sometimes therapy is hard work. Sometimes it hurts. But remember, your doctor would not have prescribed it for you if it was not necessary for your recovery. It is important that you try your best during therapy — even when you are tired and even when it hurts. Therapists keep notes of your visits, and your therapy records need to show that you were trying your best to get better.

Use the Equipment Your Doctor Tells You to Use

Your doctor may tell you to use certain medical equipment for a period of time, like a neck brace or crutches. Nobody likes having to wear a neck brace or

use crutches, and most people try to stop using this equipment as soon as possible. If you start feeling better and want to stop using the equipment, you should at least call your doctor and make sure that's okay.

Take Your Medicine, Save Your Bottles

If your doctor prescribes any medications, you should take them as directed. We always tell our clients to save all of their empty prescription bottles.

A Winning State of Mind

People who follow their doctors' orders and do everything in their power to get better as soon as possible have, what we call, a winning state of mind. Our experience shows that both juries and insurance adjusters appreciate this and go the extra mile in helping those who are helping themselves.

The seemingly minor skiing accident that recently claimed the life of Actress Natasha Richardson (who was married to Actor Liam Neeson), is a tragic reminder of the potential seriousness of virtually all head injuries.

A blow to the head may seem minor at first. There may be no immediate pain, bruising, or bleeding; however, hours later it can turn serious, even fatal.

It is very common for someone who has fallen or been in a car accident to appear perfectly fine immediately after the impact but then suddenly and rapidly deteriorate.

Even accidents that do not appear very serious can cause bleeding in the brain. One third of those people who die from brain injuries are awake and talking after the accident.

As blood leaks from a broken blood vessel in the brain, the classic symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may begin to appear: nausea, severe headache, glossy eyes, or sudden sleepiness. However, symptoms can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 3 hours – or even several days – to begin.

For anyone involved in a car

accident, sports injury, or just a slip in the driveway, recognizing the early signs of brain injury is critical. Preventing permanent brain damage may depend on getting to a hospital within the first few hours, because damage caused by brain swelling is often irreversible.

Finally, some medications can increase a person's risk for brain hemorrhages. For example, even a small bump on the head can be dangerous for patients taking blood thinners like Plavix (clopidogrel) or Coumadin (warfarin).